Matt Kroschel is a CBS-TV multimedia journalist originally from Colorado now reporting in Huntsville, Alabama for WHNT News 19. We are Taking Action and Getting Results! Send news tips on Twitter @ Matt_Kroschel.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Fire Department Will Not Rely On "Luck" Any Longer

White Hall Task Force Releases Action Report

by
Matt Kroschel

Grand Junction, CO-- Months after the White Hall fire, a
task force assembled to access how the fire was handled releases their
report and their findings highlight some serious concerns within the
Grand Junction Fire Department.

In the 35 page report concerns
over communication breakdowns, training inadequacies and a lack of
resources available to cover other emergencies during the fire were
addressed. During that raging inferno inside the landmark building in
downtown Grand Junction, a firefighter fell through the floor of the
building while fighting it. Fire Chief Ken Watkins said his department,
"got lucky" and vows to make sure their responses to large commercial
structure fires are handled differently in the future by changing their
policy.

"We wanted to put this out in the lights and let the
public know what we need to work on and what we are doing well," Watkins
said.

The report highlights the dispatch communication center's
lack of knowledge on fire fighting operations, as well as protocols for
"Mayday" situations (when a firefighter is down). Also, the report
indicates dispatchers do not typically monitor tactical channels during
emergency operations.

"A lot of these are cheap fixes and are already in the process of being made," Watkins added.

There
were also several positive findings in the report that Chief Watkins
said shows just how dedicated and professional his department is at the
job they do everyday.

"I am very proud of my team, we just have a
couple of things we need to focus on fixing so we can provide the best
service to the community and keep our firefighters safer."

The
report indicates a lack of resources and difficulties responding to
incidents in the Grand valley due to geographical issues.

Chief Watkins told NewsChannel Five every finding and recommendation is being looked at and being seriously addressed.